Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage by Elizabeth Gilbert

When last we left Liz Gilbert, she was basking in the glow of her new relationship with the suave, older Brazilian man she met in Bali. While they each made a long-term commitment to the other, neither one was willing to walk down the aisle again. But then fate intervened: frequently traveling into the United States for three month spurts, one day, Gilbert's beau was detained at the Dallas-Fort Worth airport by Homeland Security declaring that the only way he would be allowed back in the country was if he married his American girlfriend.

Thus began the perilous journey back into matrimony for Liz and Filipe. In order for her to resign herself to this idea, she began a lengthy research into the history of marriage.

What endears readers to Gilbert's prose is that she can take such a dry topic like the history of marriage and make it interesting and accessible. I have come to the conclusion that Elizabeth Gilbert could write about the history of the phone book and I would be fascinated with what she had to say. She just has a way of explaining something in such an organized, logical, easy-to-read package, yet she still packs a punch with her personality and unique voice.

It amazes me that Gilbert could be so neurotic that in order to re-marry, she had to do extensive research on the topic of marriage. Luckily her neuroses results in ver ...more I have come to the conclusion that Elizabeth Gilbert could write about the history of the phone book and I would be fascinated with what she had to say. She just has a way of explaining something in such an organized, logical, easy-to-read package, yet she still packs a punch with her personality and unique voice.

It amazes me that Gilbert could be so neurotic that in order to re-marry, she had to do extensive research on the topic of marriage. Luckily her neuroses results in very successful books. Keep up the crazy Miss Gilbert because I'll keep reading your books.

Not only was I thoroughly entertained while reading, but I was also impressed with how much I learned about the institution of marriage. You too will be shocked by the things you thought you knew about marriage that will be completely obliterated by reading this book. For example, did you know that early Christians looked down on marriage? It only begrudgingly became a sacrament as a way to try to control the institution rather than trying to prevent people from doing it since that wasn't working. Hmmmm... going to let you draw your own conclusions on that one.

This book is clearly not as engaging as Eat, Pray, Love but it was certainly worth the read. I highly recommend it for anyone considering marriage.


Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage by Elizabeth Gilbert
Published: January 2010
Pages: 285
Genre: Nonfiction
Audience: Adults